I did not think that anything with front laces would be waterproof for long. Just saying.

That was my thought. I had a pair of Danner Super Rainforest, the battle tank of boots. They were quite waterproof, but when you work outdoors in the rain, it drips with gravity. On a bike, the wind has a habit of blowing the water UP the seams.

To answer the original question, I loved my Oxtar Matrix goretex boots! Until the zippers both finally gave out. Using Tourmaster Solution right now, but not terribly impressed so far. Good price, good enough comfort, but could/should be better.

Goretex lining and the proper tongue design does everything you are asking about on the boot. Never had a problem with water getting inside the boot from top or through the membrane. Speed lacing becomes a skill: not too tight and not too loose. Regardless, It's the Goretex membrane and the rest of the construction that has my vote for the Danner boot mentioned. The 8 inch shaft was to my liking but they make a taller and shorter boot in a different model as well.

Now if you want to get all vintage I just bought 2 pairs of Aerostich Combat Touring Boots. These are the most comfortable boots AFTER some serious break in activities. I bought them used from a guy who couldn't stand to wear them long enough to break them in. Both pair $300. They will last me the rest of my life. I went through the WETTING process of soaking the entire boot overnight then draining and then walking in them for 2 hours. Then you dry them for a few days and treat them with leather treatment. Then you wear them like regular shoes for a couple weeks. After that they are YOURS forever. They are not technically as waterproof as other boots. But they make up for their shortcomings in other areas like longevity and comfort. But I still stand by my recommendation for Danner Pronghorns 400g Goretex. Off the shelf they are ready to rock and you can get them at your local sporting goods store. Mine lasted 7 years and after having the lugs reglued they are still comfy with new insoles being worn by a Happy Homeless person.

I didn't go to that extreme breaking my Aerostich Combat Touring Lites last year, but I did go on a couple walks before riding and they took a while to break in. LOVE them! They aren't rated to be waterproof and don't have goretex but I've never had wet feet.

I just rode home in an absolute downpour today. I had to ride the bike through puddles in the road which splashed directly onto my tourmasters. my feet were completely dry when I got home. you can spend a LOT more on boots, but you can't ask for better performance than that.

Since my 'glide is heel-toe, there isn't a mark on them from shifting. Once or twice a year I hit them with Snow Seal and I keep them buff polished most of the time.

Comfortable as heck. Protects my feet and lower leg from case heat.

When it rains, if its a long/heavy rain, I put the TourMaster boot covers over them. No need to carry more than one pair of boots anymore. If the rain is light, they are water resistant enough I don't need the covers.

These boots have been coast to coast several times, and before I got the right side heel guard that attaches to the floorboard, I left a little of the inner heel of the right boot on the exhaust heat shield. Some of it is still there.

Regarding the Aerostich Combat Touring Boots: I should have clarified one pair of these the I purchased were Touring Lites and one pair were the classic heavier Combat Touring Boots. Those are the ones I wet down and walked around in. I got the tip on speeding up the break in procedure from the Aerostich blog. The leather is noticeably heavier and of course they are a few inches taller too. The Touring Lites seemed to be softer and did not need the break in process in my opinion.

Those $520 high tops sound like some heavy duty boots for sure. When I first read it I thought it meant TENNIS SHOES,

That's a good pitch on the Tourmaster boots. Which model/year boot and how much were they? Are they good for long distance touring with walking and off the bike activities?

these were about 100 bucks online. the tourmaster solution 2 if i recall correct. the WP version. I got them about a year ago. metric size 47 fit my size 12.5 foot well. they are about 7 out of 10 for walking. I have to wear high socks because the top rubs my leg a bit. other than that, fine, but my feet never give me problems to begin with. I certainly would not recommend them for hiking, but they do ok.

That's a good pitch on the Tourmaster boots. Which model/year boot and how much were they? Are they good for long distance touring with walking and off the bike activities?

these were about 100 bucks online. the tourmaster solution 2 if i recall correct. the WP version. I got them about a year ago. metric size 47 fit my size 12.5 foot well. they are about 7 out of 10 for walking. I have to wear high socks because the top rubs my leg a bit. other than that, fine, but my feet never give me problems to begin with. I certainly would not recommend them for hiking, but they do ok.

Wow, your feedback is good to hear. My issues with that boot have been purely from a comfort standpoint, but I haven't had them long enough yet to have hit a real soaker. I'm glad to hear they should stay dry.

I have tried several over the years. Then I got smart and purchased what soldiers wear every day and all day. Now I know why. Waisted too many years wearing bike boots. I will never wear anything else but these and they last forever.

Tim, that's what I'm talking about right there. You are making a great point. Entry level motorcycle boots and many of them that are considered upscale are really basically junk with hard plastic pieces attached at certain points to protect shins, ankles and heels. But how exactly are they even tested if they are not "racing" boots? And then you have the comfort factor. Motorcycle boots are strange to look at in so many ways. Why should Moto Touring boots look different than any other great pair of all weather hiking boots?

I'm convinced that most of the cheapie Moto boots for less than $100 retail would not hold up for rugged use, year after year. Some of them would likely come apart if put to the test. Why do I say that? My first pair of Moto boots were an eBay special. Inexpensive leather boots with inside zippers. These were sporty with a generic name and a Velcro flap at the top and a Velcro outer pad on the foot to protect from scraping. I treated the leather and rode in them a couple times. Then I had to dab my foot at a stop sign. The rubber sole came loose from leather and my sock pushed right through the side of the boot. Wow. $45 eBay lesson learned. They were barely used boots and they were crap when they were new.

I know we need protection like shin guards. But if the pants have knee and shin guards why do the boots need them too? Yes, I know the best boots have ankle protection. I believe in ATGATT. Always have and always will. But when you are logging long days and the boots don't feel good, you eventually start thinking about a CHANGE...

Tourmaster size 11 vented for summer socks and size 12 WP for winter socks. Long trips with the vented ones and I pack Frog Togg boot covers. Can't stand hot feet. These are the cheapest gear I own and they just do the job.

Dainese track boots for Dragon runs and local mtn twisty riding chasing my buddies on R1s and etc. Only one track day (3 days) so far and dreaming of more. Amazing feeling of safety and control but wouldn't want to walk far in them or wear them out prematurely. $699 at Cycle Gear - eBay from Europe $385 shipped.

I'd give the Tourmasters 8/10 comfort off the bike and maybe good for 2-4 years/60k miles. Not exactly forever boots but at $119 or so it's all good.

I bought the Tourmaster WP after years of wearing Bates racing boots. And I know just between my wife and myself, what we are comfortable in is very different. Wore the Tourmaster on a trip to 4 corners area (from PA) and up to Alberta. Bot trips did extensive hiking (2 hikes in Alberta were 10 miles each) and no blisters, comfortable, and stayed dry (even hiking a day in heavy rain). They also held up well in an accident. YMMV

At the age of most of us going down is going to really hurt and have lasting effects. Additional shin guards are the least of my worries. Plus I like to get off my bike and hike, fish, explore, eat at restaurants etc... Motorcycle specific boots are cumbersome, rigid, difficult to walk long distance etc... I can walk all day in a pair those Bates Boots and the boots can be removed almost instantly. I have also gone to Kevlar Jeans. Someone needs to make Kevlar Waders.

2008 C-14Measurement is the first step that leads to control and eventually to improvement.If you can't measure something, you can't understand it.If you can't understand it, you can't control it.If you can't control it, you can't improve it."